Idiopathic central sleep apnoea syndrome treated with zolpidem.
We report the case of a 47-year-old man with idiopathic central sleep apnoeas recurring during wake-sleep transitions at night or at diurnal naps. Symptoms associated with central apnoeas were sudden awakening with shortness of breath, sleep fragmentation and daytime tiredness. Following the failure of CPAP and BiPAP, we treated the patient with zolpidem which reduced central apnoea events, improved sleep and eliminated the patient's nocturnal disturbing symptoms. Beneficial effects were still present after two years of treatment. Our case demonstrates that zolpidem may be beneficial in the long term treatment of idiopathic central sleep apnoea syndrome.
Grimaldi
Daniela
D
Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna, Via U. Foscolo 7, Bologna, Italy. daniela.grimaldi@unibo.it
Provini
Federica
F
Vetrugno
Roberto
R
Antelmi
Elena
E
Donadio
Vincenzo
V
Liguori
Rocco
R
Pierangeli
Giulia
G
Cortelli
Pietro
P
Montagna
Pasquale
P
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020182:Sleep Apnea, Central / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077334:Zolpidem
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D000077334:Zolpidem